Fuel prices are changing work habits: how to choose internet when working from home

The rapidly rising fuel prices are increasingly encouraging residents and employers to reassess their work habits. One such option is the possibility of moving at least part of the working time home, thereby avoiding some commuting costs and saving time. On the other hand, when working remotely it quickly becomes clear that home internet is no longer a matter of convenience but an essential condition for productive work. That is why, when choosing an internet service, it is important to pay attention to a few key criteria that determine the quality and smoothness of everyday work.

As noted by internet technology expert Artur Stefanovič, CEO of Etanetas, one of the first internet providers in Lithuania, remote meetings, working in cloud systems, transferring larger files or connecting to internal company platforms most often require not only sufficient internet speed but also reliability. Connection disruptions or frequent disconnections can cause not only technical inconvenience but also lower productivity and additional stress in everyday work.

What really determines internet quality when working from home?

In the technology expert's opinion, when choosing an internet service for remote work, it is important to assess not only the declared connection speed or the monthly price, which is what almost every user choosing home internet pays attention to first. Far more important are the practical aspects that determine the quality and stability of everyday work.

"First, it is worth paying attention to the internet connection technology itself. Two are widespread on the market: fibre-optic internet and mobile internet.

Fibre-optic internet usually ensures more stable and consistent operation than mobile internet. This is because fibre is less sensitive to external factors, such as network load fluctuations or environmental conditions, and data transmission happens more consistently and at a higher speed.

In 2025, data from Ookla, a global internet network performance analysis company, obtained when assessing the home internet offered by several mobile operators in the United States, revealed that its download speed, as the number of users and network load grew, dropped from around 220 Mbps to about 200 Mbps, and in some cases even to 130–140 Mbps," says A. Stefanovič.

The company's CEO adds that, if there is a choice, fibre-optic internet is usually the more reliable solution for permanent work from home.

According to the specialist, there are cases where, due to the location of the dwelling or other infrastructure obstacles, fibre-optic internet cannot be connected for the user. In such a case, mobile internet can be a suitable alternative solution. Still, before choosing mobile internet, it is worth asking the service provider a few important questions. First — what the real connection speed is at the specific residential location at different times of day, since it can fluctuate significantly depending on network load. It is also important to find out whether data usage limits or speed reductions apply after reaching a certain amount of data. Equally relevant is assessing connection stability and latency, which are especially important during video meetings. Finally, it is worth asking whether there is an opportunity to test the service in practice, so as to make sure it is suitable for everyday work.

"Another important aspect that is recommended to assess when choosing home internet is the everyday usage conditions. When working from home, several different platforms are often used at the same time, all of them equally important — video meetings take place, larger documents are sent, cloud or project management systems are used.

It is estimated that a high-quality video call can require around 3–5 Mbps of stable speed per user — this is also shown by the technical requirements of remote collaboration platforms such as Zoom or Microsoft Teams. Meanwhile, when several work systems are used at once or larger files are shared, the total required internet speed can increase several times over. That is why a stable connection becomes critically important for smooth work," says A. Stefanovič.

It is equally important to assess the distribution of the internet connection within the home itself. Even with a fast enough internet plan, a weak Wi-Fi signal or a poorly chosen router location can cause connection disruptions in different areas of the dwelling.

According to international network performance research data published in the international technology and business media outlet Forbes, due to distance from the router, walls or other physical obstacles, users can lose up to 40% of their broadband internet speed.

In the company's CEO's opinion, in practice this means that working further from the router can degrade connection stability and cause speed fluctuations or delays. In such cases it is worth considering additional solutions — for example, signal boosters or network optimisation, which help ensure more even internet operation throughout the home.

"Finally, it is worth assessing the service provider's customer service speed and response to disruptions. When working remotely, even a short-term connection disruption can derail scheduled meetings, pause the workflow or complicate collaboration with colleagues and clients. That is why it is important to assess in advance whether the service provider ensures a prompt response to faults, clear communication about the progress of resolving them, and the possibility of quickly receiving technical help. Such aspects help avoid longer work disruptions and ensure greater stability in everyday work," advises the Etanetas CEO.

A. Stefanovič advises that it is important not to forget that even after choosing the right internet solution, needs change over time — the number of digital tools used grows, data flows increase, and technologies are constantly improving. That is why it is worth periodically assessing the capabilities of your current connection and updating them if necessary, so that home internet remains a reliable foundation for everyday work.